February 2011 is UCL Diversity Month

There’s a full programme of free events to celebrate diversity and examine the challenges some groups face in education, work and society more generally. The theme of the programme this year is Making connections, challenging assumptions. Examples of events include: Film screenings every Wednesday 18:30 in the AV Hill LT. Films to include: You live and burn (69′), (Finland – Iiris Härmä, Finland 2007); The Last Summer of La Boyita (93′) (El ultimo verano de La Boyita: Julia Solomonoff, Argentina 2009); Diary of a Times Square Thief (60′) (USA (New York), The Netherlands (Amsterdam) – Klaas Bense, The Netherlands 2008);To the Marriage of True Minds (12′), (Andrew Steggall UK 2009); Eddie and Thea (61′) (Gréta Olafsdóttir and Susan Muska 2009) (Documentary). On 1 February: 13:00-14:00: ‘Pinkstinks: the end of childhood. Why the obsession with femininity is bad for little girls’ by Abi Moore of Pinkstinks, which is a campaign and social enterprise that challenges the culture of pink which invades every aspect of girls’ lives. This talk will look at the boundaries taught to young girls and will discuss the damaging messages about what it is to be a girl. 2 February 18:00-19:30 “White Lies: racism, class and educational inequality”, Professor Gillborn, Institute of Education. The lecture will review how an image of white people as the new race victims has been created and look beneath this facade to explore the continuing significance of racism as a daily reality in education, from primary schools to universities. It will be followed by a panel discussion including Hugh Muir (Guardian Journalist) and Gloria Hyatt MBE (pioneer of the country’s first school independent school for black and minority ethnic students.)  10 February 18:00-19:00 Queer in the time of terro, by Dr. Rahul Rao, School of Oriental and African Studies. This talk will look at recent Western activist initiatives responding to the apparent persecution of homosexuals in Iran. Dr. Rao will look at some of the ways in which LGBT rights activism has become entangled in the security preoccupations and panics of the ongoing ‘war on terror’ and will consider some of the dilemmas of LGBT activists in the Middle East, as well as LGBT activists of colour in the West, in responding to these entanglements. 22 February 18:00-19:30 Leading the way and opening doors Members of Age Concern’s Opening Doors Central London Project will be speaking about their experiences of being gay or lesbian in far less liberal times – examining how society has changed over the decades as a direct result of tireless campaigning for LGBT equality. Full programme and to register here.

Training for female film-makers

In association with Skillset, Birds Eye View are offering a range of training for female film-makers at reduced prices. These would be excellent networking and learning opportunities.

• LFA presents: Post-production reinvented
• NFTS presents: Marketing in the Digital World
• BAFTA presents: How Shooting on HD is changing Hair & Make Up
• Ravensbourne presents: RED Camera work flows
• VET presents: Digital Cinematography – the implications for women in the camera department
• Escape Studios presents: 3D Graphics and Visual Effects
• Training / Doc: Shooting Women + Director Q&A
• Pitch & Connect and Meet the Producers with NPA
• Open Screen
• Meet the Filmmakers: in partnership with Shooting People
• Shooting People Presents: Let’s Get Digital

The organisation, Birds Eye View, looks like one to keep an eye on, as it is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the work of women in film-making. Why?

Did you know that only 6% of film directors and 12% of screenwriters are women?

Exactly. So take a look at their site, the blog has some great interviews. Or you can find them on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

Where are the bright stars?

While  Film Director, Jane Campion is getting lots of attention for her new film, Bright Star, she continues to be a minority in the film industry as Skillset’s report shows that women make up only 4% in lighting, 8% in sound and 15% of those in camera work. To see the report or get involved in the Film Industry see the Why Her? report or go to the SkillSet website.